Seroprevalence of <i>Brucella</i>Antibodies and Risk Factors Associated with Human Brucellosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups of the Noun Division in the West Region of Cameroon

Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic disease with an important public health impact. Although the transmission of Brucella from animals to humans can occur in different epidemiological settings of sub-Saharan African countries, little data has been published on human brucellosis. This study aimed to detect Brucella antibodies and the risk factors associated to brucellosis among high-risk occupational groups of people in the Noun Division of Cameroon. For this study, a structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors associated with human brucellosis. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from high-risk occupational groups of people in four villages. Plasma was extracted from each sample and Brucella antibodies were detected using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Of the 273 participants enrolled, the overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies was 12.45% with RBPT and 10.26% with i-ELISA test. This seroprevalence was significantly (P = 0.04;X2 = 9.73) higher among livestock herdsmen (15.8%), slaughterhouse workers (9.8%), butchers (4.8%), participants having no educational level (14.3%) and those experiencing above 5 years of risky activity (15%). Raw milk consumption (OR: 4.8;P = 0.001), no formal education (OR: 6.4;P = 0.03) and assistance of animal during parturition (OR: 7.2;P < 0.0001) appeared as factors that may increase the risk of Brucella infections. The detection of Brucella antibodies indicates the risk of human brucellosis in some groups of people of the Noun division. Consuming unpasteurized milk, participating in parturition and lacking knowledge on brucellosis appeared as risk factors associated with human brucellosis in western Cameroon. It raises the need of developing and implementing control measures for human and animal brucellosis.

Association between Polymorphisms of SNPs Located at the 3’-Untranslated Region of SET8 and Codon 72 of the TP53 with Breast Cancer among Cameroonian Women

In sub-Saharan Africa, breast cancer (BC) constitutes a serious public health problem and the genetic basis of its development is remaining poorly understood. Although the SNPs at codon 72 of TP53 (rs1042522) and at the UTR of SET8 (rs16917496) have both been associated with BC development among Asian and European women, no published data has been reported within African population. We herein report on the impact of these polymorphisms on the risk of BC among Cameroonian women. Blood samples were collected from 111 breast cancer patients and 224 controls. DNA was extracted from each sample and PCR-RFLP was used to investigate the polymorphisms at SNPs rs1042522 of TP53 and rs16917496 of SET8. Association studies were performed according to ethno-linguistic groups and menopausal status. The minor allele “T” of SET8 gene revealed a protective effect in premenopausal women (OR, 0.327;95% CI 0.125 - 0.852) while the CT genotype of SET8 was associated with increased risk of BC (OR, 2.93;95% CI, 1.1 - 7.8). The minor “G” allele of TP53 gene was significantly associated (OR, 2.533;95% CI, 1.455 - 4.408) with increased disease risk in premenopausal women while the CG genotype was significantly associated (OR, 0.39;95% CI, 0.23 - 0.69) with decreased risk of BC. A synergistic genetic interaction at both loci for CC genotype of SET8 and CG genotype of TP53 was associated (OR, 0.46;95% CI, 0.24 - 0.91) with reduced disease risk. No significant association between polymorphisms at the SET8 and TP53 loci and clinical pathologic features of BC was observed. This study suggests significant associations between the SNPs located at the 3’-UTR of SET8 and codon 72 of the TP53 with the risk of breast cancer development among premenopausal women. There is an interaction between TP53 and SET8 genes.